Five to Fold Decision Making Process
"Five to Fold" is a methodology for effective, holistic group decision-making, or decisioncreation. The evolution of Five to Fold began in 1995 with the use of a common consensus tool
known as "fist of five" or "fist to five." Five to Fold employs a similar consensus tool, in
combination with a talking circle process and guidelines for the roles of Facilitator and Proposal
Sponsor. As described here, Five to Fold is offered for use in synergy with other Genuine
Contact Program methodologies in the context of emerging Conscious Open Space
Organizations (COSOs).
A major strength of Five to Fold is that it invites, honors, and integrates all individual
perspectives, including intuitive "minority" perspectives, into practical decision-making in clear,
effective ways grounded in individual responsibility. Five to Fold fosters open and honest
communication, and continuous contact between individual and organizational
purpose/essence. Five to Fold helps organizations to evolve rapidly as living entities.
Five to Fold can serve as the methodology for a designated decision-making meeting, or it can
nest nicely in a larger Whole Person Process Facilitated (WPPF) meeting. The process can be
used in its full form for important, complex proposals and decisions, AND it can be used in a
"Quickie" form (see below) for emergent day-to-day group decisions. Five to Fold can also be
used at all levels of an organization. It is a deep process but it is easy to understand. I
have worked in educational organizations where Five to Fold is used in essentially the same
manner by students as young as five years old making classroom decisions, as well as by the
Board of Directors for major policy decisions.
I take leadership to revise this description as needed over time, with appreciation for the
feedback and experience of Genuine Contact Program practitioners who employ the process.
Roles
1. Facilitator
• Guides the process
• Is personally prepared to "hold space" in a clear, grounded way, unattached to outcome
• Does not participate in the content of the process or the "finger-vote"
2. Proposal Sponsor (or Co-Sponsors)
• Presents a clear proposal to be considered by the group for a decision, and shepherds
the proposal through the process
• Presents his/her perspective on the purpose, background, and implications of the
proposal in the context of the previously articulated purpose and givens of the group or
meeting
• Responds to clarifying questions from the participants
• Listens to the perspectives of all participants
Author: Chris Weaver
Resource #: GC512
www.springbranch.us
www.genuinecontact.net
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Five to Fold Decision Making
May revise or withdraw the proposal during the process based on the response of
participants (only the Proposal Sponsor may choose to revise or withdraw a proposal)
3. Participants
• Listen to the presentation of the proposal
• Ask clarifying questions
• Share their individual perspective on the proposal in relation to the purpose of the group
• Participate in the "finger-vote" to make a collective decision on the proposal
• Honor the outcome of the process, in keeping with their own "finger-vote."
Context Points
1. Shared Decision-Making
A group or circle of people holds the responsibility and authority to make decisions as an entity.
Five to Fold is intended as a process for genuine decision-making, rather than for gathering
feedback or informing a decision to be made elsewhere.
2. Whole Group Wisdom
The diverse individual perspectives of each participant are valued as essential to a wise
decision.
Five to Fold invites and honors the passion, perspective, and responsibility of each participant.
The methodology enhances a group's competence, effectiveness, awareness, and unity.
3. Group Purpose
Each participant accesses his/her connection to a clearly articulated group purpose.
Five to Fold is a methodology for activating the shared purpose of the group in practical
decisions. Prior use of the Medicine Wheel Tool provides a powerful context for Five to Fold.
4. Clear Givens
Participants consider a proposal in the context of organizational and/or meeting givens.
In advance of the use of Five to Fold, leadership of the group is responsible for articulating the
givens which set the container for creative proposal development and decision-making.
5. Facilitation
A facilitator guides the Five to Fold process.
The facilitator may or may not be a member of the decision-making group. The facilitator
guides the process without engaging in the content discussion or participating in the "fingervote."
6. Proposal Development
Five to Fold begins with a clear, carefully-developed proposal to be considered for a
group decision.
The proposal may be revised during the process.
7. Proposal Sponsorship
Each proposal to be considered is presented and shepherded by a Proposal Sponsor or CoSponsors.
Proposal Sponsorship is an act of creative leadership. Five to Fold is intended for groups that
invite proposals from any member of the group. Proposals may originate with people outside of
the group, who may be present for the meeting, but it is important for a group member to
sponsor or co-sponsor each proposal.
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8. When It's Not Over, It's Not Over
Sufficient time is required for a Five to Fold decision to be created.
It is not possible to know in advance how much time will be required to complete the process,
and surprises are common and valuable. Flexibility is essential. Experience has shown that 90
minutes is a good initial guideline for a deep and important proposal. Each group will discover
in practice how to manage the time for their decision-making circles.
9. Whoever Comes are the Right People
Whoever is present for the meeting participates in the Five to Fold process.
Five to Fold is intended as an inclusive process. The methodology is powerful when each
person present is a full participant with decision-making authority. Five to Fold is also powerful
in circumstances where people are present who are not members of the decision-making
group. Whoever is present takes part in the entire process, including the "finger-voting." As
established in advance by organizational or meeting givens, it is possible for only the fingervotes of the decision-making members to constitute the formal group decision, with finger-votes
of other participants contributing to the group wisdom.
The Process
Five to Fold may be employed in a meeting specifically for decision-making, or it may be
employed as a part of a larger Whole Person Process Facilitated meeting (WPPF).
The steps below describe the full process, designed for important proposals, including in
situations of complexity and passionately diverse perspectives. See the note below about
"Quickie Decisions" for using Five to Fold efficiently for minor day-to-day situations.
1. Physical Design
The group is seated in a circle, with no table or other obstacle in the center. Flip-chart paper is
available to support different learning styles.
2. Welcome
3. Transfer-In
A transfer-in exercise is useful in awakening the connection between individual and group
purpose/essence.
4. Givens And Purpose
The givens for the meeting, and/or for the organization, are shared with all participants.
Organizational purpose or other aspects of Medicine Wheel Tool work may also be shared or
posted.
5. Presentation Of Proposal
The facilitator introduces the Proposal Sponsor(s) and reminds the group that it is the Sponsor
who will be shepherding the proposal through the process. Until a proposal becomes a
decision, it "belongs" to the Sponsor, and it is only the Sponsor who can choose to make any
revisions to the proposal during the process. The sponsor is free as well to withdraw the
proposal during the process, perhaps to develop further and present at a later date.
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The Proposal Sponsor(s) present the proposal to the group. The Sponsor(s) are prepared to
share their consideration of some or all of these questions:
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What is the background of this proposal?
What aspects of current reality does the proposal address?
Who has contributed to the development of the proposal, and how?
What is the Sponsor's Story Line of this proposal, including his/her vision for what will
grow from the proposal becoming a decision?
How is the proposal in harmony with the group purpose?
Are the roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the proposal included?
The Proposal Sponsor shares the proposal draft, both verbally aloud and in writing on flip-chart
paper.
6. Clarifying Questions
The facilitator invites clarifying questions from any participant to the Proposal Sponsor(s). In
this step, the facilitator guides the process tightly. The facilitator reminds participants that they
will be invited to share their perspective on the proposal during the upcoming talking circle, and
that now is the time to ask focused specific clarifying questions about the proposal as worded
and presented. The Sponsor(s) have time to respond thoughtfully to each question.
When all clarifying questions have been asked and responded to, the facilitator invites the
Sponsor(s) to make any revisions they wish to make to the proposal as written.
7. Talking Circle
The facilitator now invites the participants to share with the group any thoughts or feelings you
wish to share about your perspective on the proposal and how it relates to the group and its
purpose. The facilitator may invite the participants to trust their intuition and to share thoughts,
concerns, and feelings even if they are not fully formed.
The facilitator tells the group that there will be a "once around," followed by a time with the
talking object in the middle of the circle for follow-up comments. The facilitator places the
talking object in the center and invites whoever wishes to begin to pick up the object, return to
his/her seat to speak, and to pass the talking object to the left. When the talking object has
gone around the circle one time, the facilitator asks the last person to place the object in the
center, and invites anyone with additional comments to walk to the center to speak and to return
the object to the center.
The Proposal Sponsor(s) participate in the talking circle in the same way as everyone else.
8. Transition
When the talking circle is complete, the facilitator shares that it is time to transition to the Five to
Fold finger-vote. The facilitator asks the Proposal Sponsor if he/she is ready for this step.
With important proposals, this is a tricky moment for the facilitator and for the group. It
sometimes happens that the Sponsor wishes to make a revision of the proposal in response to
what has been shared in the talking circle, and such a revision can be very useful in creating a
decision that honors the group wisdom. It is also important not to open the circle for discussion
at this point to prevent a dissipation of energy due to debate.
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If the Sponsor chooses to make a revision or addendum to the proposal, this is recorded on the
written proposal on the flip-chart. The facilitator can then proceed to the finger-vote. However,
if the revision/addendum is substantial, the facilitator may feel that a space for responding is
needed. If so, the talking object can be placed in the center and the talking circle thus reopened, focused on the revision.
In most circumstances the facilitator will have a whole-group sense of the right moment to
proceed to the finger-vote.
9. Finger-Vote
The facilitator shares the directions for the finger-vote, or in the case when each participant
is familiar with the process, asks the group if anyone would like to hear the directions again.
The directions go something like this:
In a few moments, each person in the circle will demonstrate their support for the proposal as
presented with their hands, by holding up a number of fingers on one hand, or by folding
(demonstrates the clasping of both hands together, in front of the heart). We will have a time for
silent reflection before we do this.
Five fingers held up means that you fully support the proposal, and that you will take leadership
in implementing the proposal.
Four fingers means that you strongly support the proposal, but that you are not necessarily in a
leadership role for implementation.
Three fingers demonstrates solid acceptance of the proposal.
Two fingers means that you have some important reservations about the proposal, but that you
will support its implementation.
One finger means that you have very serious reservations about the proposal, that in some
important way the proposal feels at odds with the purpose and needs of the group at this time.
But by holding up one finger, you are not blocking the proposal becoming a group decision, and
you are committing not to subvert the decision in any way and to communicate openly and
honestly about your reservations.
A Fold means that you choose to block the proposal becoming a decision at this time, because
you believe with head, heart, spirit, and/or intuition, that the proposal as presented is damaging
to the purpose of the group.
Remember that a Fold does not indicate a failure of the process, but rather an essential
possible outcome of the process.
I now invite the Sponsor to read the proposal one more time aloud to the group.
Now, we will have a moment of silent reflection, during which I invite you to be fully present in
this decision as a whole person, in alignment with your understanding of the purpose of the
group at this time.
(The facilitator may ring a bell to start and close the reflection time).
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Now it is time for the finger-vote. One, Two, Three, Go.
10. Recording
At this time, the fingers may be recorded for the record, or not, according to desired or
established group practice. Fingers may be recorded generically, or attributed to specific
individuals.
11. Checking In With Twos, Ones, And Folds
If no one has folded, the facilitator states that the proposal has become a decision, and then
always invites those who showed one or two fingers to say a few words about their reservations,
if they choose. It is useful to record these reservations when a report is being made of the
meeting decisions. This honors the unity of the group and often opens doors to addressing
these concerns in the ongoing work.
If someone has folded, the facilitator states that the proposal has not become a decision, and
invites the person(s) who folded to speak. The facilitator reminds the group that the space is
open for all participants to take responsibility to work together in the days to come to create a
resolution to the situation.
12. Next Steps
The facilitator opens space for establishing next steps. When a proposal has become a
decision, the sponsor or another leader may schedule a follow-up implementation meeting or
other steps. If there has been a fold, a follow-up meeting to consider the issue may be
scheduled, as desired.
Quickie Decisions
Five to Fold is a versatile methodology. While important, complex proposals can be considered
in depth, simpler decisions can also be made quickly and enjoyably, especially when the group
becomes familiar with the process.
In the course of many types of meetings, proposals often exist or are generated spontaneously
that call for a quick group decision. Here is one way to facilitate this in the moment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify a facilitator.
Identify a Sponsor.
Invite the Sponsor to present the proposal.
Invite a discussion that includes clarifying questions and individual perspectives. Put a
talking object in the middle if this is helpful.
5. Revise and/or re-state the proposal.
6. Pause for a moment.
7. Do the finger-vote. The facilitator can vote too.
Following these simple steps for simple decisions provides a useful, subtle perspective on how
a group and its members are moving forward in their work together. And if a simple decision
reveals itself as more complex than it first appeared, the fuller process can be initiated as
needed.
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Partial Applications
There are situations where some elements of the Five to Fold methodology can be usefully
inserted in a pre-existing structure or situation. One example of this that has been shared in the
Genuine Contact community is a case where a board employed a talking circle and finger-voting
process, but according to established bylaws, the actual decision-making mechanism was a
majority-vote system. The finger-vote provided rich information to the group, but an individual's
fold did not have the power to block a decision but instead represented a "losing minority" in a
majority vote.
I recognize the usefulness of bringing the talking circle and finger-vote into this context.
However, as with other methodologies that are used in Genuine Contact work, I believe that it
is very important for leaders and consultants to communicate clearly with any
groups/organizations about the circumstances where only part of the process is used and the
reasons for doing so, so that the integrity of the methodology is honored.
I welcome and thank you in advance for sharing your feedback and experiences with Five to
Fold. Enjoy!
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